daveg28
Member 
Posts: 1,062 
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Mar 13, 2021 4:18:19 GMT
So, a few years ago an old friend gave me his mom’s stamp collection. It didn’t containing anything earth-shattering, but I found lots of nice additions for my own collection within it. About a week ago, he sent me a photo of an old album and a few large envelopes of stamps, asking me if I’d like those items too. We had dinner tonight, and afterwards he had a bankers box of material to give me. I didn’t expect that much stuff! Tomorrow, I will investigate the contents and report my findings. I love a surprise treasure hunt!
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Mar 13, 2021 13:38:21 GMT
Lucky you! I wish I had friend's like you do!
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Mar 13, 2021 16:23:04 GMT
First thing I find in the box is a 1952 Scott Modern Postage Stamp Album. US stamp section is first and after a few pages I find a complete set of imperforate National Parks. I like how this is going already.   |
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,698
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Mar 13, 2021 17:46:25 GMT
Enjoy!
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Mar 13, 2021 20:59:20 GMT
Lots of Art Craft FDCs. Interesting thing: They all have “Ayerst Laboratories” stamped on the back. There's an insert describing the stamp, and then a sales pitch for a drug of some kind. Always a different drug.  USA, Mary Cassat Commemorative FDC dated 17 Nov 1966, complete with letter from Ayerst Laboratories |
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renden
Member
Posts: 9,162
What I collect: Canada-USA-France-Lithuania-Austria--Germany-Mauritius-French Colonies in Africa
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Post by renden on Mar 13, 2021 21:22:17 GMT
Lots of Art Craft FDCs. Interesting thing: They all have “Ayerst Laboratories” stamped on the back. There an insert describing the stamp, and then a sales pitch for a drug of some kind. Always a different drug. Ayerst did not do these many "drugs" but have fun !! René |
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Mar 13, 2021 22:16:13 GMT
At the bottom of the box, there’s another binder containing a Minkus plate block album from 1948. Unfortunately, some dampness got to it. There’s a lot of glassines contains blocks of stamps, and the glassines containing more than one block have the stamps stuck together. It also appears that most are just blocks of four, and not really plate blocks. All the blocks mounts are inside glassines and stuck to the pages with transparent tape. Ugh. Those stamps are in good shape, however.  |
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Post by sarah on Mar 13, 2021 22:32:47 GMT
Lots of Art Craft FDCs. Interesting thing: They all have “Ayerst Laboratories” stamped on the back. There an insert describing the stamp, and then a sales pitch for a drug of some kind. Always a different drug. I would love to see the insert and what it looks like. What drugs are they advertising and I will have a look at what the drugs are for. Guessing that was a good advertising tool years ago with the number of stamp collectors. It is so nice when you find something different and interesting. I had no idea until very recently that covers contained some really nice inserts. |
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Mar 13, 2021 22:44:20 GMT
Lots of Art Craft FDCs. Interesting thing: They all have “Ayerst Laboratories” stamped on the back. There an insert describing the stamp, and then a sales pitch for a drug of some kind. Always a different drug. I would love to see the insert and what it looks like. What drugs are they advertising and I will have a look at what the drugs are for. Guessing that was a good advertising tool years ago with the number of stamp collectors. It is so nice when you find something different and interesting. I had no idea until very recently that covers contained some really nice inserts. Sarah... if I can ever figure out how to post images, I’ll share that with you. |
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Post by sarah on Mar 13, 2021 22:49:30 GMT
If it makes you feel any better. I am rubbish and found it difficult to share images. They are done through my phone rather than the computer. I am still trying to learn how not to make them upside down!
I found the easiest way for me to add a photo is to take a picture on my phone and then use my phone to come back into the site and download. I then come back onto the computer version to correct any spelling errors due to my fat fingers on the phone.
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Mar 14, 2021 0:46:31 GMT
There’s a lot of envelopes for different countries. If there something you like , let me know. I only want the US, Canada, Britain, France, and USSR stamps I find. I’m sure there’s gonna be a lot of US I won’t want, too. And I want to salvage as many blocks as I can from the Minkus album. I love that there’s a lot of air mail blocks in there.  |
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madbaker
Member
Posts: 802
What I collect: (Mark) General worldwide collector (to 1975 or so) with a soft spot for Sweden and the rest of Scandinavia.
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Post by madbaker on Mar 14, 2021 1:47:05 GMT
Hey Dave daveg28, if you come across any Scandinavia I'd love a look and would try and work something out with you.  |
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Mar 14, 2021 1:50:40 GMT
What in particular from Scandinavia?
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madbaker
Member
Posts: 802
What I collect: (Mark) General worldwide collector (to 1975 or so) with a soft spot for Sweden and the rest of Scandinavia.
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Post by madbaker on Mar 14, 2021 4:06:05 GMT
Sweden is my #1 love. Then Norway. I'm happy to fill spaces after 1970, but on the hunt for stamps pre-1970, if that helps. Typically used; not whole booklets (there seem to be a LOT of booklets / full panes around.) I'm still trying to figure out a strategy for Denmark, Iceland, Greenland, Finland and the islands because my collections of those countries are far more spaces than stamps! |
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Mar 14, 2021 5:36:53 GMT
I’ve found a stack of plate blocks that are all stuck together. It’s about a quarter inch thick. It’s like a brick. Are they salvageable at all, and if so, how? Or should I just toss them in the trash? Perhaps I’ll just soak them and have a bunch of gum-less blocks.
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Mar 14, 2021 15:17:31 GMT
Sweden is my #1 love. Then Norway. I'm happy to fill spaces after 1970, but on the hunt for stamps pre-1970, if that helps. Typically used; not whole booklets (there seem to be a LOT of booklets / full panes around.) I'm still trying to figure out a strategy for Denmark, Iceland, Greenland, Finland and the islands because my collections of those countries are far more spaces than stamps! |
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Mar 14, 2021 15:20:10 GMT
I’ve found a stack of plate blocks that are all stuck together. It’s about a quarter inch thick. It’s like a brick. Are they salvageable at all, and if so, how? Or should I just toss them in the trash? Perhaps I’ll just soak them and have a bunch of gum-less blocks. |
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Post by mdroth on Mar 14, 2021 15:44:32 GMT
Likely a lost cause, but you can start by just sticking it in the freezer. After they're frozen, you may be able to separate some of them, using a tongs & working carefully.
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stainlessb
Member
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,906
What I collect: currently focused on most of western Europe, much of which is spent on France, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain Queen Victoria
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Post by stainlessb on Mar 14, 2021 15:56:57 GMT
daveg28 if there are any envelopes from Austria, Belgium, Spain or Portugal and maybe Yugoslavia (Peter II) I might be interested and I'm sure I can find something of interest in exchange
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Mar 14, 2021 19:03:08 GMT
Digging deeper. I found the 750 and 751 souvenir sheets. But they are stuck together. I could cry. I gotta find a way to separate these, as I do not have them. Steam, maybe? I also found a bunch of Farley gutter pairs: Yosemite, Byrd, both Century of Progress, Mt. Ranier. Fortunately, they are NOT stuck to anything. Yay!  And I now possess a lot of strips-of-five of Transportation Series coils. Is saving them in such strips a thing? I didn’t know that. Anyone interested in Danzig? Some are sticking together just enough that I don't want to just pull them apart. Maybe a quick soaking? Same with some old German "Deutsches Reich" stamps. I feel like in an archeological dig. This is fun! |
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renden
Member
Posts: 9,162
What I collect: Canada-USA-France-Lithuania-Austria--Germany-Mauritius-French Colonies in Africa
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Post by renden on Mar 14, 2021 20:48:18 GMT
Digging deeper. I found the 750 and 751 souvenir sheets. But they are stuck together. I could cry. I gotta find a way to separate these, as I do not have them. Steam, maybe? I also found a bunch of Farley gutter pairs: Yosemite, Byrd, both Century of Progress, Mt. Ranier. Fortunately, they are NOT stuck to anything. Yay! And I now possess a lot of strips-of-five of Transportation Series coils. Is saving them in such strips a thing? I didn’t know that. Anyone interested in Danzig? Some are sticking together just enough that I don't want to just pull them apart. Maybe a quick soaking? Same with some old German "Deutfches Reich" stamps. I feel like in an archeological dig. This is fun! Have you tried the FREEZER method already [posted ? If using a "Stamplift" you will have lots of glue......you have to be careful In a bath you will loose the gum René |
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator 
Posts: 5,911
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Mar 14, 2021 21:07:22 GMT
Anyone interested in Danzig? Some are sticking together just enough that I don't want to just pull them apart. Maybe a quick soaking? Same with some old German "Deutfches Reich" stamps. I feel like in an archeological dig. This is fun! Dave, I would be interested in the Danzig. You could send them just as they are, and I will do the separation myself.... I will email you.  |
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Mar 14, 2021 22:08:17 GMT
I’ve found a stamp from Brazil that’s apparent a Zeppelin issue of some kind. I’m not going to assume it’s at the level of the US Zeps, but I am curious about it. Beryllium Guy will add a pic of it soon. Any input is appreciated.  |
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Post by daniel on Mar 14, 2021 22:21:23 GMT
Lots of Art Craft FDCs. Interesting thing: They all have “Ayerst Laboratories” stamped on the back. There an insert describing the stamp, and then a sales pitch for a drug of some kind. Always a different drug. Ayerst did not do these many "drugs" but have fun !! René Hey René, Soderlund Drugstore Museum lists all of these drugs and medications from Ayerst Laboratories, including the one mentioned in the letter. Such solicitations were commonplace from the 50s onwards. If I've misunderstood, please clarify. Thanks, Daniel |
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kasvik
Member
Posts: 607
What I collect: Cancels mostly, especially Sweden Gävle and Lidingö, Switzerland Geneva, Germany Pforzheim
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Post by kasvik on Mar 14, 2021 23:45:38 GMT
And I now possess a lot of strips-of-five of Transportation Series coils. Is saving them in such strips a thing? I didn’t know that.
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hrdoktorx
Member
Posts: 7,213
What I collect: France (and French territories), Africa, Canada, USA, Germany, Guatemala, stamps about science, flags, maps, stamps on stamps...
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Post by hrdoktorx on Mar 15, 2021 8:01:13 GMT
And I now possess a lot of strips-of-five of Transportation Series coils. Is saving them in such strips a thing? I didn’t know that. Indeed, there are specialized collectors that like the US coil stamps in strips of five. I knew one of them back at the stamp club in Germany I used to belong to, and during those years, when I went back to the US on travel, I would go to a post-office and buy strips of five coils from the vending machines to bring back to him. The reason tends to be that a control number is written on the back of the stamps every fifth stamp from the coil roll. So, by having a mint strip of five, you are guaranteed to have one with a control number. But they must be mint, because the control number ink tends to disappear after soaking and is of course invisible if the stamp is on-piece. |
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cara
Member
Posts: 200
What I collect: Germany (FRG, GDR, Berlin); occupied Germany 1945-1949, Deutsches Reich 1872-1945, Switzerland, USA (newbie)
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Post by cara on Mar 15, 2021 8:32:55 GMT
There is a possibility to make it visible. If you open the envelope and look through the paper onto the backside of the stamp against a light source, you very often can see the control number on the stamp, even if the stamp is on-piece. Only if the paper is black or dark-colored or thick, you can not see the number. |
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stanley64
Member
Posts: 1,979
What I collect: Canada, USA, Netherlands, Portugal & Colonies, Antarctic Territories and anything that catches my eye...
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Post by stanley64 on Mar 15, 2021 11:47:50 GMT
And I now possess a lot of strips-of-five of Transportation Series coils. Is saving them in such strips a thing? I didn’t know that.
For the Transportation Coils, as you can see, the numbers are front and center; with a strip of five, the number is ideally the third or middle stamp, Transportation Coil Series - 18¢ Surrey (Scott n.º 1907) PNC5 - Plate 10
Myself, I collect them as you can see in this posting here and would be interested in seeing what you've got. If you would like, I can share my want/wish list and perhaps there is an exchange in the works :-) For now though, there are plenty of other PNC examples here on TSF; both mint and used.
If you have any questions, let me know...
Happy collecting!
P.S. Nice to see the stamps of Portugal as well :-)
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Mar 15, 2021 12:20:30 GMT
Nice strip with the plate number AND line!
Kind of makes me glad that in Canada, pairs are the norm except for jump strips, which are usually 4, or starter/ending strips of many multiples, usually of ten. I just collect pairs, and have one or two jump strips of 4.
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Mar 21, 2021 15:11:59 GMT
The mining of the box continues. I found a cover addressed to a general at a D.C. address. Nothing special about it, no postmark, nothing extraordinary about the stamps. I Googled the addressee's name, and found out he was a pretty important fellow in the air force. He was a genuine WWII fighter pilot ace, and was in charge of Strategic Air Command later in his career. This has been the only item I've found in the box bearing his name, so I can't figure out yet what his attachment here is. Very interesting! More to come.  |
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